Horned Frogs Take On Lobos Saturday In Albuquerque
2/25/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 25, 2011
GAME DAY INFORMATION
GAME NOTES 
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Albuquerque, N.M. • The Pit • Saturday, Feb. 26 • 3:00 p.m. CT
Television: The Mtn. • TV Talent: Erin Bajackson, PBP; Andrea Lloyd, Color
Radio: KTCU (88.7 FM), gofrogs.com • Talent: Jeff Williams
Internet (gofrogs.com): Live Stats, Live Radio
Series Record vs. UNM: New Mexico Leads (9-7)
Last Meeting vs. UNM: Jan. 26, 2011 (TCU Loss, 54-65)
TCU Head Coach: Jeff Mittie (Missouri Western, `89)
Record: 257-124 in 12 years at TCU (408-183 overall)
Assistants: Brian Ostermann (Wis. La Crosse, `88), Tonya Haut (Baylor, `99)
Tricia Davern (TCU, `02)
UNM Head Coach: Don Flanagan (Fort Lewis, 1971)
UNM Record: 337-165 (16th Year)
Horned Frog Quick Notes
• The Horned Frogs have split the season-series with the Lobos the last two seasons.
• TCU is the only school in the Mountain West Conference to win 11 games each of the past six seasons.
• Senior Emily Carter has led TCU in scoring during 13 contests this season. She has scored over 20 points in 10 games and currently sits No. 40 in the NCAA in scoring and No 13 in the nation in free throw percentage.
• Helena Sverrisdottir is now the only player in program history to amass 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 500 assists in a career.
• The Horned Frogs are 164-33 (.832) during the Jeff Mittie era when out-rebounding their opposition.
FORT WORTH, Texas - TCU will look to avenge one of its earlier season losses Saturday afternoon when it takes on New Mexico. Start time is set for 3:00 p.m. CT from The Pit in Albuquerque.
The Horned Frogs are now 19-9 overall and 11-3 in league play. With only two games remaining before post-season play, the Frogs sit No. 2 in the MWC standings, trailing BYU.
In its last outing, TCU shot a blistering 50.9 percent from the floor Tuesday night to upend Utah at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum, 71-60. Overall, the Frogs, who have won 34 of their last 36 home games, broke the game wide-open on a 16-4 run midway through the first half.
In the first meeting between UNM and TCU, the Frogs pulled within six midway through the second half , but New Mexico snapped the Horned Frogs eight-game winning streak.
The Last Time Out
The Horned Frogs used some hot-shooting to record a 71-60 victory over Utah Tuesday night.
Overall, the Frogs torched the Utes, going 27-of-53 from the field, including 66.7 percent in the first half, which is the highest field goal percentage during a first half of play all season. The Purple and White were also unconscious from behind the arc, going 8-of-15 for 53.3 percent. TCU shot 71.4 percent from deep during the first half alone on 5-of-7 shooting.
Helena Sverrisdottir was simply unstoppable Tuesday, scoring a game-high 23 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the floor, including 5-of-6 from deep. When it was all said and done, the Iceland native tallied 23 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Fellow senior Emily Carter was just as dangerous, reeling off 19 points on 8-of-13 from the field. Finally, sophomore Starr Crawford recorded her eighth double-double of the season and 13th of her career with 13 points and 14 boards.
Game No. 1 Versus New Mexico
Starr Crawford scored 16 points, but UNM gave TCU only its second loss in a 33-game span at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum, winning, 65-54.
Helena Sverrisdottir and Emily Carter were held in check for the majority of the night with nine points apiece, respectively, but both posted seven of their nine points after the halftime break.
TCU couldn't overcome a slow start from the field and tried to rally in the second half, shooting nearly 41 percent from the field. Overall, the Horned Frogs only trailed 25-19 at the break and went 14-of-16 from the charity stripe.
Follow The Horned Frogs
TCU's Saturday contest with UNM can be heard live on the radio throughout the Metroplex on 88.7 KTCU-FM with Jeff Williams. A live stats feed is also available via GoFrogs.com. Fans wishing to view gametracker may do so by clicking on the link on the right side of the schedule page. Saturday's game is also being shown live on The Mtn., with Erin Bajackson and Andrea Lloyd calling the game.
The UNM Series
TCU and UNM will be meeting for the 17th time in program history Wednesday. The Horned Frogs have won two out of the last four meetings, but haven't won at The Pit since downing the Lobos, 57-54, in 2008. New Mexico leads the series, 9-7.
The two teams slit competition last season with the Lobos taking a 60-53 decision in Albuquerque before TCU closed out the 2010 series downing UNM, 66-54, in Fort Worth.
Last season in Albuquerque, then No. 20 TCU dropped a 60-53 decision to New Mexico. The Lobos used a key run midway through the second half to put away the Frogs late.
Scouting New Mexico
New Mexico comes into Saturday fresh off a 68-60 come from behind victory over UNLV Wednesday. With the win, the Lobos improved to 10-15 on the season and 4-9 in the MWC.
Against the Rebels, freshman Jasmine Patterson and senior Amanda Best both scored career-highs with 24 and 22 points, respectively. Overall UNM shot nearly 45 percent from the floor in the second half.
During conference play, Patterson is averaging over 14 points, while Best has chipped in with 12.5 points per game against the rest of the MWC.
Triple The Trouble
In its last outing, TCU saw Helena Sverrisdottir, Emily Carter and Starr Crawford all score in double-figures. When all three post double-digit scoring games its a good sign for TCU as the Frogs are 9-2 on the season, including 5-0 in MWC play. The Horned Frogs' only losses in the 11 games came at the hands of Virginia (55-59) and nationally ranked Georgia (57-60).
Closing Out The Month
TCU will play New Mexico Saturday to close the month of February. Under head coach Jeff Mittie, the Frogs are only 5-6 in the final game of the month, but will look to make it two-straight Saturday.
TCU Scoring Off Turnovers A Must
The Horned Frogs have won the points-off-turnovers battle eight times during conference play. TCU's record when it scores more points-off-turnovers then its opponent, 8-0. During all three conference losses, the Frogs haven't. Overall, TCU's only victories when loosing the points-off turnovers battle have been to San Diego State, UNLV and Utah.
• The three losses : UNM (7-15), AFA (19-21), BYU (7-15).
Taking Care Of The Rock
Senior Helena Sverrisdottir has been steady with the ball in her hands as of late. Not only has she only had seven turnovers, but the Iceland native has tallied 29 assists. She has also scored in double-figures in five out of the last six contests, including a 23-point performance against Utah this past Tuesday night.
February Frenzy
TCU has won five out of its last six games and if recent trends hold true, the Horned Frogs should have a successful February as TCU has only lost five times during the month since 2007-08.
Overall, the Horned Frogs, who will take a current 5-1 February record into Saturday's contest, have closed the season strong during the month of February, combining to go 23-5 since 2007-08. Last season alone, the Frogs only lost one contest during the month, recording a 6-1 record, including opening the month on a four-game winning streak.
Scoring In The Paint Important For TCU Success
The Frogs outscored Utah in the paint Tuesday night, 26-14, which now marks the fifth time in six game in which TCU had dominated down low. During conference play, TCU has outscored its opponent down low in 10 of the 14 contests.
The four games in which the Frogs were either tied with or outscored by their opponent in the paint were BYU (14-30), New Mexico (18-24), Air Force (24-24) and BYU (18-20). TCU's record during those contests, 1-3, with the first meeting with BYU being the lone victory.
Mountain West Conference Success
During the last six seasons, the Frogs own a 70-24 all-time league record in the MWC and are the only team to record at least 11 wins in each of the past six seasons.
• The 70-24 mark is currently the best record in the MWC during that span.
• TCU will go for its 12th conference win Saturday. They are the only team to record at least 11 wins in each of the past six seasons.
Horned Frogs Continue To Impress In NCAA
Entering this week, the Frogs have done quite nicely among the nation's best. TCU ranks No. 31 nationally in free-throw percentage (.745), No. 61 in scoring margin (8.3), No. 83 in scoring defense (58.7), No. 30 in Field Goal Percentage Defense (.359), No. 72 in Won-Lost Percentage (66.7), No. 94 in blocked shots (3.9), No. 69 in personal fouls per game (15.7), No. 54 in three-point field goal defense (.290), No. 55 in turnover margin (2.78), No. 64 in assist turnover ratio (0.88) and No. 27 in Turnovers Per Game (14.8).
Overall, the Frogs rank in the top 100 nationally in 11 different categories.
Individually, Emily Carter paces the Frogs', ranking No. 40 overall in scoring average with a 17.9 average. Fellow senior Helena Sverrisdottir is No. 112 in the nation in assists per game (4.1) and No. 93 in assist turnover ratio (1.51). Carter also sits No. 13 in free throw percentage (.888) and in the top-115 in 3-point field goals per game (2.3) and percentage (.343). Finally, sophomore Starr Crawford moved into No. 37 in rebounds per game (9.6).
TCU In The Mountain West Conference
28 games into the season, the Horned Frogs sit No. 1 in free throw percentage (.745). The Frogs also rank in the top-2 in scoring offense (67.2), field goal percentage defense (.359) and turnover margin (+2.79).
Individually, Emily Carter sits No. 2 in the conference in scoring average (17.9), while also ranking No. 1 in free throw percentage (.883). Helena Sverrisdottir currently sits No. 5 in scoring (15.3) in the conference. She also ranks No. 2 in steals (2.0) entering Saturday. Finally, sophomore Starr Crawford ranks No. 1 in rebounding (9.8) and offensive rebounds (3.6). She also sits No. 2 in defensive rebounds (6.2) heading into action Saturday.
In conference only games, the Frogs rank No. 1 in scoring defense (54.9) and turnover margin (+4.43). TCU ranks No. 2 in 3-point field goal percentage defense (.280), steals (8.6)and offensive rebound percetage (.339).
Carter sits No. 4 in scoring (15.3) and No. 2 in free throw percentage (.862), while Crawford rounds out the top-10 in scoring (13.1). The sophomore also ranks No. 1 in rebounding (10.2) and offensive rebounds (4.0). The Frogs have also cleaned up in the steals department with league-leader Sverrisdottir (2.3) and Crawford (2.2) claiming the No. 2 spot.
UP Next
TCU will close out its regular season against Air Force at home next Wednesday night. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. CT from the DMC.
